1. Cyprus rallies EU partners to get shipping sector support
Cyprus is speaking to other European Union member states to shore up support for the shipping industry hit by sanctions on Russia, its shipping minister said. Cyprus has the third-largest shipping fleet in the EU after Malta and Greece. It has seen defections, or itself deflagged, about a fifth of its oil tanker fleet in recent months, connected one way or another to sanctions on Russia. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/21/cyprus-rallies-eu-partners-to-get-shipping-sector-support/
2. Shipping industry call for help to evacuate the 300+ seafarers still trapped in Ukraine ports
In just a few days, on 24 February 2023, will mark one year since the onset of the war in Ukraine. The International Chamber of Shipping, in collaboration with over 30 other organisations and companies, have written a joint open letter urgently calling on the UN Secretary General â His Excellency AntĂłnio Guterres â to prioritise the immediate release of the 331 seafarers and 62 ships that remain trapped in Ukrainian ports. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/21/shipping-industry-call-for-help-to-evacuate-the-300-seafarers-still-trapped-in-ukraine-ports/
3. Safe handling and carriage of scrap metal in bulk
In recent years, Gard has handled a number of claims involving the carriage of scrap metal in bulk and, from time to time, we get enquiries from Members for guidance on the handling and carriage of this cargo. Ship operators and masters should be aware of the risks related to scrap metal carriage and take risk mitigation actions accordingly. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/21/safe-handling-and-carriage-of-scrap-metal-in-bulk/
4. What are âshadow fleetsâ and how do they hinder efforts to help Ukraine?
In December, the European Union banned imports of Russian crude oil by sea, and the EU and other major economies imposed a price cap â designed to keep essential exports flowing from one of the worldâs biggest oil producers while still penalizing it. Another embargo and a cap on refined oil products followed, nearly a year into an onslaught believed to have so far resulted in hundreds of thousands of military casualties and some 30,000 civilian deaths. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/21/what-are-shadow-fleets-and-how-do-they-hinder-efforts-to-help-ukraine/
5. Amogy launches testing operations for maritime applications of Ammonia-to-Power Platform in Stord, Norway
Amogy a pioneer of emission-free, energy-dense ammonia power solutions, announced it has signed a letter of intent and a lease with Sustainable Energy Catapult Center to initiate testing operations for its 200kW ammonia-to-power platform at their recently-launched testing facility for new and sustainable energy solutions in Stord. This is an important next step as Amogy expands its footprint in Norway and seeks to be the first to demonstrate the viability of its platform for decarbonizing maritime vessels. https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2023/02/21/amogy-launches-testing-operations-for-maritime-applications-of-ammonia-to-power-platform-in-stord-norway/
6. Containership newbuild avalanche to start in earnest from next month
âStarting from March, the pace of new containership deliveries will pick up rapidly especially in the larger segments,â the latest weekly report from Linerlytica pointed out. A total of 32 ships of over 23,000 teu are due this year, with six units scheduled in March alone. A further 67 neo-panamax units of 12,000-16,000 teu will also be delivered this year, of which 11 are scheduled in May. https://splash247.com/containership-newbuild-avalanche-to-start-in-earnest-from-next-month/
7. Anglo-Eastern fleet set to cross the 700-ship mark
Cementing its place on the shipmanagement podium, the fleet at Hong Kongâs Anglo-Eastern is about to surpass the 700-ship mark. Speaking at the companyâs annual conference in Mumbai, where more than 1,000 delegates are in attendance including Splash, BjĂžrn HĂžjgaard, the CEO of Anglo-Eastern, said the managerâs fleet was at a record 680 ships with another 60 ships confirmed entering the fleet, half of which are due in the next four months. https://splash247.com/anglo-eastern-fleet-set-to-cross-the-700-ship-mark/
8. U.S. Container Imports See Biggest Drop in Over a Decade
Container imports into the U.S. saw their biggest decline in more than a decade last month. In his latest ports report, industry veteran John McCown said inbound containers at the ten largest U.S. ports declined 17.9% year over year in January, marking the highest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis. January now marks seven straight months of expanding year over year declines. https://gcaptain.com/u-s-container-imports-see-biggest-drop-in-over-a-decade/
9. UK Court Fines Svitzer Marine Over Tug Crewmanâs Death
A UK court has fined Svitzer Marine ÂŁ2 million (US $2.41 million) over unsafe working practices that led to the death of a tug crewman. Svitzer Marine pleaded guilty to failing to operate a vessel safely and failing to provide a safe system of work, causing the âavoidable tragedyâ that resulted in the death of 62-year-old Ian Webb after he fell into the water. https://gcaptain.com/uk-court-fines-svitzer-marine-over-tug-crewmans-death/
10. Baltic index logs best day in 2 months
The Baltic Exchangeâs main sea freight index, logged its best day in nearly two months on Monday on gains in rates for capesize and supramax shipping vessels. The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax shipping vessels, was up 14 points, or 2.6%, at 552. The capesize index gained 13 points, or 4.8%, at 284.
Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, gained $108 to $2,354.
https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+logs+best+day+in+2+months
